LAKEWOOD – A township man has been extradited from Salisbury, Maryland to Ocean County for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, officials said.
John Filistovich, 59, lived at a Thornbury Court home in Lakewood with his girlfriend, Betty Perry, 60.
Around 12:15 p.m. May 30, Lakewood Police arrived to the home for a wellness check on Perry. Officers found her body on the floor of the bedroom and an autopsy later revealed that she suffered blunt force injuries to the head, neck and chest along with asphyxiation.
According to police, Filistovich and Perry lived together and were in a dating relationship.
Police later discovered a 2015 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Perry was not at the home. It was located by Maryland State Troopers who found Filistovich on the side of the road near Salisbury, Maryland. He was taken into custody, and first placed in a medical facility before being transferred to the Ocean County Jail.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
